U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meet, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel December 18, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Stewart
In a joint news conference in Tel Aviv on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed the unwavering support of Washington for Israel but urged the ally to take additional measures to protect civilians in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Austin characterized Hamas as a “fanatical terrorist group” and emphasized the need to prevent future attacks on Israel from Gaza.
Amid rising concerns from foreign governments and international organizations over the civilian casualties in Gaza, Austin called for a transition from major combat to a lower-intensity conflict. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and increasing humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.
Despite recent comments from U.S. President Joe Biden expressing concern about Israel’s “indiscriminate” bombing and calls for a ceasefire, Austin reassured Israel that American support for its security is unshakable. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also mentioned a gradual transition to the next phase of operations in Gaza, suggesting that displaced people might be able to return first to the northern part of the enclave.
The Gaza health ministry reported a death toll of 19,453 Palestinians and 52,286 wounded during the Israeli assault. Israel has pledged to achieve total victory over Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to dismantle the group responsible for the October 7 raid into Israel.
Amid the destruction in Gaza, human rights concerns have been raised, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately blocking essential supplies and using starvation as a method of warfare. Israel denies targeting civilians and attributes high casualties to Hamas embedding itself in residential areas.
The conflict continues to escalate, with persistent Israeli bombardments resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and heightened suffering among the population. Despite calls for a ceasefire and international interventions, the situation remains complex and fraught with challenges for all parties involved.
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